Birch trees Quote by William Butler Yeats
“The Bishop has a skin, God knows, Wrinkled like the foot of a goose, (All find safety in the tomb.) Nor can he hide in holy black The heron's hunch upon his back, But a birch-tree stood my Jack.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Song of the Wandering Aengus (excerpt), W.B. Yeats, 1919
The poet juxtaposes the divine, fragile nature of a bishop with earthy, mundane imagery, suggesting hidden sanctity in ordinary scenes.
In simple terms: A bishop’s holiness is contrasted with simple, natural symbols.
Key Takeaway
Find sacredness in everyday moments.
Themes
spirituality
nature
contrasts
humility
poetry
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
lyetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- religious contemplation
- nature walks
- creative writing
Key Concepts
divine
earthliness
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What ordinary thing feels sacred to you?
- How do contrasts deepen spiritual insight?
A Different Perspective
The abstract imagery may obscure clear meaning for some readers.
